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MIDDLE EAST | Updates from regional conflicts:

• The Israeli military says Hamas has released all 20 living hostages held by the militant group since the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel have begun to be released as implementation of the Gaza cease-fire's first phase continues. [more]
• Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s office said he will award U.S. President Donald Trump the “Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor” – Israel’s highest civilian award – for his efforts to secure the release of Hamas-held hostages. [more]
• Leaders from Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Turkey, Jordan, Britain, Germany, France, Canada, Italy, the United Nations, and the European Union are expected to attend a "Summit for Peace" hosted by the U.S. and Egyptian presidents today in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss options for a lasting peace in Gaza. [more]

UKRAINE | Today is day 1,327 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here is your update:

• U.S. President Donald Trump said yesterday that he will consider providing long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine if Russia does not move toward ending its invasion in the near future. [more]

U.S. GUN VIOLENCE | At least four people were killed, and 20 others were injured, early Sunday when yet-unknown gunmen opened fire during a high school alumni event being held at a bar and grill on South Carolina's St. Helena Island. The incident remains under investigation. [more]

U.S. GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN | Day 12. The White House Office of Management and Budget said Friday that as many as 4,000 federal job cuts are expected related to the ongoing government shutdown. Some 1,300 employees of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received layoff notices on Friday, but about half were reinstated on Saturday after Trump administration officials said they mistakenly received separation notices. [more]

U.S. WEATHER | The National Guard has been activated in Delaware and weather emergencies have been declared in New York and New Jersey ahead of expected coastal flooding and strong winds as storms that caused damage in several mid-Atlantic states over the weekend approach the region. [more]

TENESSEE | Authorities say the cause of a Friday explosion at a military munitions factory in rural Tennessee remains under investigation. Sixteen people were killed in the incident. [more]

U.S. AND CHINA | After China announced new restrictions on the export of rare earths and related technologies last week, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose new 100% tariffs on Chinese goods in addition to tariffs already in place. Reports note that rare earths are critical to the manufacturing of a broad range of products, including electronics, medical imaging, and military systems, and that China accounts for nearly 70% of the world’s rare earths mining. The U.S. tariff threat prompted a sell-off in U.S. markets Friday, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7% in its worst day since April. [more]

U.S. AND ISRAEL | Speaking before the Israeli parliament today, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Israeli President Issac Herzog should pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate cases. [more]

NOBEL PRIZES | Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt have been named recipients of the 2025 Nobel memorial prize in economics for their work on explaining and quantifying “creative destruction” – an economic concept that refers to the processes by which beneficial new innovations replace and destroy older technologies and businesses. [detailed info] [more]

AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN | Afghanistan's ruling Taliban said yesterday that its forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in overnight border clashes in response to what it said were repeated violations of Afghan territory and airspace. Border crossings between the two countries have been closed as regional powers call for restraint from escalating the conflict. [more]

MEXICO | Emergency officials say at least 47 people have died in recent days in flooding and landslides following days of heavy rain in multiple Mexican states. Reports say at least 38 people in three states are still considered to be missing and that authorities expect the death toll to rise. [more]

MADAGASCAR | President Andry Rajoelina said yesterday that a coup was underway in Madagascar after members of an elite army unit joined youth-led protests against the government and called for the president to step down. Reports this morning say Rajoelina has departed the country aboard a French military plane. [more]

ECUADOR | Protesters clashed with police yesterday in the latest anti-government demonstrations in Ecuador's capital city of Quito. The country's largest Indigenous organization called for protests three weeks ago following the cancelation of a fuel subsidy that significantly raised the price of diesel fuel. [more]

FRANCE | President Emmanuel Macron unexpectedly reappointed Sebastien Lecornu as France's prime minister on Friday, just days after Lecornu had resigned. Lecornu appointed a new government yesterday amidst ongoing political turmoil and calls for new national elections. [more]

PHILIPPINES AND CHINA | Amidst ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, a Chinese coast guard ship fired water cannons and rammed an anchored Philippine government vessel yesterday off the Philippines-occupied Thitu island. Chinese officials accused the Philippine vessel of illegally entering what it called Chinese waters near a cluster of sandbars known as Sandy Cay. [more]

BASKETBALL | The Las Vegas Aces beat the Phoenix Mercury on Friday to claim their third WNBA championship in four years. Aces' center A’ja Wilson was named the finals MVP. [more]

COLLEGE FOOTBALL | Following weekend games, Ohio State remains at No. 1 atop the AP Top 25 College Football Poll, followed by Miami, Indiana, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss. [full poll] [more]

WEEKEND MOVIES | "Tron: Ares" topped the North American box office over the weekend with an estimated $33.5 million in receipts, followed by "Roofman" and "One Battle After Another." [more]

R.I.P. | Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton, whose five-decade career included roles in films such as "Annie Hall," "The First Wives Club," and "The Godfather," died Saturday at the age of 79. [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 1903, the Boston Americans (later the Boston Red Sox) defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates to win the first modern baseball World Series. [more history]